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Report: Regulations reducing gas-drilling impacts

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A study by the University at Buffalo's new shale gas institute concludes that state oversight of gas drilling has been effective at reducing environmental problems.

The report released Tuesday examined almost 3,000 violations from nearly 4,000 gas wells in Pennsylvania since 2008. It found the percentage of environmental violations compared to the number of wells drilled fell from 58.2 percent in 2008 to 30.5 percent in 2010.

It concludes that Pennsylvania's updated regulations have been effective and New York's current regulations would prevent the major environmental events identified in Pennsylvania. Drilling hasn't been allowed in New York since regulators began a review in 2008.

Some opponents, who staged a large rally at the state capitol Tuesday, want a ban on drilling and say no regulations can protect the environment.